does anyone know if the wind tech kinetic free ride 270 is fast enough to race competively?

I would think it would depend on the monkey riding it .
If you put say Steve Allen or Dan Engdahl or Scotty Mckercher on it I think they would probably still put in a very good show .
I would imagine its a pretty good feeling to beat a competitor who has the $3000 board with a $50 one .
You see plenty of groms with low budgets and high skills flying past blokes with big budgets and low skills .

Give it a go I'd say, just hope your skills are competitive . May help to have a half decent rig too.

Thanks. I guess its would be good just to get back on the water after a 20yrs lay-off. Been looking at the boards of today compared to 1980's.....they look fat and slow (deceptive I know) compared to the pointy slick lines of yester year

Don't be deceived, modern boards and rigs are fantastic! I speak from personal experiance after a 10 year lay off. By all means go for second hand gear but keep it to less than about 5 years old for boards, less for sails. Buy new booms, masts, mast bases etc. Modern boards are soooo good and versatile. I have lots of favourites, but a good all rounder IMHO is the JP Single Thruster. I am 77kgs and use the 93L version. Great boards, fast, forgiving and just plain fun! As for sails, I love Sailworks; especially the Retros and Revos. Again fantastic all rounders, soooo well made, durable and fast. Not so many around second hand, but the Australian dealer is very approachable and knowledgable- Windsurf Systems- Chris is his name.
Don't get hung up on the older gear of yesteryear- bite the bullet- modern gear is so much better. Get a GPS as well and hook up with a local group- great comraderie and fun. No need to spend a fortune but a modest re-investment will pay big dividends in fun! Good Luck and welcome back!!

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pgunness said..
Thanks. I guess its would be good just to get back on the water after a 20yrs lay-off. Been looking at the boards of today compared to 1980's.....they look fat and slow (deceptive I know) compared to the pointy slick lines of yester year

I had nearly 30 years off before a renaissance 12 months ago.
Despite the body being rather soggier than it was when I was 30, I just can't begin to tell you how much fun I've had.
I bought 2nd hand "bump and jump" F2 board, North sail, mast, boom etc etc for about $2000 all up, to check that I was going to keep going before going crazy and....I'd forgotten just how much fun it was. How could I have forgotten? Dunno but I'm hooked all over again. I'm sailing with the Mandurah Mob in WA so have a great time on the water with like-minded folk whose company I really enjoy.
The gear is so much easier to use and way, way lighter and faster. My beautiful 80's McTavish board might still look good but it feels like lead in comparison to the epoxy/carbon boards of today so do I use it?....no way. I'm too old for retro anyway! Modern sails and fins are so efficient that you'll plane with even small sails in moderate winds. It's a blast!!
There are lots of posts from experienced sailors on what gear to get back to...I'm sure that there'll be useful info all over Seabreeze.
Go for it and have the best time!!!